The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1887-08-26

| Here the lively Lady Margaret be-
| gan dancing about the room. ashanti
have a fine time of it when l come
OUT mean to make up for being
kept back year. You see you must
be out of the way, Jerry. You are so
very good-locking"
| Lady Geraldine answered, smiling:
do be sensible, Maggie, and I'll tell
you all about Mr.. Optimus Codd.
Well, he's rather fat, and not got any
particular expression, but | think he's
very good-natured. l really think l
like him, and if A lovely blush
rose to her face.
"If you hadn't fallen in love with
some one else, and if you were quite
sure Mr.. Optimus Cobb didn't want to
marry you. Don't you be the least bit
gracious to him, or he'll say you gave
him encouragement. They always do
if you are polite. But, Geraldine, !
advise you to give up Reggie Paulet.
He has got next to nothing, and you
can't marry on love-"
Lady Geraldine tossed up her pretty
head. You mind your own business,
Maggie. You're very disagrceable,
and shan't tell you any thing more
about any one / meet"
In due course of time Mr.. Codd did
come to the school-room to inspect
Geraldine's drawings. Lady Margaret
and an antiquated German governess,
were reading aloud.
81 hope we are not interrupting.
Mr.. Codd is very anxious to see my
sketches, Fraulein. This is my sister,
Mr.. Codd.
(" How do you do, Mr.. Codd. 1t is
very kind of you to come up here.
Geraldine has told me all about you.
You have such a lovely house and beau
tiful pictures, and such nice things to
eat. | am not out or should like to
come and see it all"
Mr.. Codd murmured something vague
about next year.
Jerry is very kind to me, you know,
though she will not make haste and
get married. If want particularly to
see any of her admirers-you do adj
mire her, of course, or you would not
come so often-she always manages to
bring them upstairs. Now, Rupert
Paulet and I are great friends-isn't he
dear boy? And Lord Strathnellan
was very nice, too, till Geraldine re-
fused him and he went off to America,
and has been shooting bears ever since.
You know / mustn't come downstairs
to the drawing-room or be inspected by
any young men before my hour has
struck. Mamma would faint if l made
myself known preinaturely. 1 am to
burst suddenly on the fashionable
world. Do you admire mammal Don't
you think her clever? Oh, you would
say she is clever if you knew my sis
tiers Letitia and Hermione. They are
both very stupid and not particularly
good-looking-Jerry and I are the best
of the lot-yet they both married we'll
and Letitia is Marchioness. Mamma
managed it all. You can't think how
dull and pompous my brother-in-law
Slateford is! I don't think I should
care to be Marchioness.
Mr.. Codd appeared much amused by
this girlish chatter. The outspoken
Lady Margaret had charming
piquant face that made people feel
young to look at. Lady Geraldine and
the governess returned from the adj
joining room with portfolios to find
Mr.. Codd and Lady Margaret on the
best of terms
Mr., Codd had had no previous con-
ception that aristocratic lips were ever
frank and ingenious, though he was,
of course, aware the humanity of
lower degree is candid to a painful de-
gree.
After three weeks or SO, Lady UNI
freyille began to think it time for Mr..
Codd to make up his mind. Why did
he not propose to Geraldinep
The preliminaries had gone on long
enough, and the worlds eyes were be-
ginning to fix curiously on the pair.
Lady Umfreville had monopolized the
wealthy stakeholder too fully to escape
calumny The Countess thought it
might be expedient to give the back
ward sutton gentle push. The honor
intended for him might seem too
great. In secluded corner at gar
den party she opened fire.
"You are evidently not marrying
man, Mr.. Codd," she said, playfully.
''How can you resist the lovely girls
you meet dailyP"
Mr.. Codd cast a sharp glance at the
lady's smiling face,
"My thoughts have been always
given to other matters-more prosaie
things, Lady Umfreville. Till lately
the idea of matrimony never entered
my head "
"Ah, then suppose you have begun
to think of it. Indeed, a man of your
position--of your wealth and influence,
owes this duty to society. OF course
you are entitled to look for birth and
beauty, and feel sure that any we'll
brought up, right-minded girl will APP
preciate your sterling qualities. l
have no son of my own, you know
with q sigh), "but / assure you, Mr..
Codd, feel quite maternal interest
in your welfare.
This was rather more than neces-
sary. Mr. Codd's little eyes sparkled.
pray cease, Lady Umfreville. l am
not man to rate my own merits be-
meath their worth, but can not allow
you to speak In these terms "
II have thought Mr.. Codd," contin-
ued the unabashed. Countess, that
your remarkable modesty might pre-
vent you from aspiring in direction
where your heart may be engaged. Let
me offer you encouragement You re-
member the old adage faint heart
never won fair lady. l think l should
like a cup of tea now, Mr.. Codd. +"
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